Ahead of a new play about Brian Epstein, Alex Horne assesses the man behind the legend

PAUL McCARTNEY once famously said “If anyone was The Fifth Beatle, it was Brian”. Not only is Brian Epstein credited with seeing the potential of The Beatles when no-one else did, but with managing the band throughout their formative years and shaping them into the world conquering musical force they became.

In a sliding doors scenario which is now ingrained into history, Epstein stumbled upon The Beatles (then named the Beat Brothers) when he heard them provide backing for Tony Sheridan on a 1961 single, entitled My Bonnie.

After seeing the band play a midday gig at The Cavern Club, over the road from the music store he had inherited, Epstein claimed: “I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humour on stage”.

Backstage after the gig, Brian “was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started”.

Although Epstein had no experience managing bands and was warned by Allan Williams, The Beatles’ previous manager, “not to touch them with a barge pole” Epstein had found his quarry.

Epstein’s first action as manager was to imbue the band with a sense of showmanship. He transformed their raucous live shows into professional performances, complete with the synchronised bows which would become their signature move, and traded the Fab Four’s jeans and jacket style for sharp suits and ties.

In the early days of managing, Brian valiantly persevered when no label would take the band. Within a few short years, however, Epstein had catapulted The Beatles from the Cavern Club to the stratosphere, infecting the world with Beatlemania and securing the band’s place in the musical pantheon.

Although the band agreed to a five-year contract, Epstein refused to sign, believing that their mutual respect was solid enough to ensure a trusting working relationship.

Months after this contract would have run out, Epstein tragically died from an accidental drug overdose. The fact that a Jimi Hendrix concert at the Saville Theatre was cancelled that night, out of respect for Epstein, speaks volumes for people’s regard for the man and all he achieved.

In addition to The Beatles, Epstein worked with a host of other acts who came to define the Merseybeat sound, including Cilla Black, Billy J Kramer and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

In recognition of Brian Epstein’s outstanding contribution to Liverpool and British music in general the Neptune Theatre, after a £1m facelift, was renamed the Epstein Theatre earlier this year. Next week it will premiere a show about him, starring ex-Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel in the title role.

Epstein: The man who made the Beatles, the Epstein Theatre from Thursday, November 15 to Saturday, December 1.